HIV/HCV. The PROBE-C Study
An emerging problem worldwide is the epidemics of acute hepatitis C in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), firstly described in London in the beginning of 2000, and subsequently reported by several investigators in different countries. NEAT initial plan was to conduct a multinational clinical trial to test efficacy and safety of different treatments for this condition. However, two main considerations led NEAT General Assembly to modify the plan: the high costs of this study and the several controversies existing in the field. Indeed, the natural history of the disease and its actual incidence are still unknown. Therefore, a “hepatitis group” has been set up within NEAT that includes the major experts in the field and contributors to > 90% of published cases on acute HCV infection. This group will work at establishing a cohort of patients for the PRospective OBservational Evaluation (PROBE) study on the natural history and treatment of acute HCV in HIV positive individuals in Europe. Besides collecting unique information on this new epidemics, PROBE will provide a clinical platform to explore safety and efficacy of different treatment approaches.